urns for scattering ashes

Urns for the Beach Life

October 19, 2017 urngarden.com

What do we do for fun around here? As we ease into Fall, lately we’re dreaming about sand and surf, although with the recent hurricanes, the beaches are wrecked. So there are cheap flights and if you can get away go for it! It doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful depending on where you stay….

Yesterday, we talked to a mother and I did not get the complete story, but the family was not expecting to get ashes back from their 23 year old daughter who had died. But things change and now they were going to receive a small amount her ashes. The funeral director said it would be about a cup or so. The deceased was a young mother with two small children. Mother said she loved to knee board and play in the water. She knew as soon as she saw the blown glass wave it was perfect for her daughter.

Earlier this summer, a gentleman called to inquire about the big shell urn we sell. He needed a biodegradable urn for a water burial that was planned. And? He had to pass airport security to make it happen. He wanted everything to fit on board the plane, and he was concerned about whether the shell would fit in the overhead compartment. The shell is super lightweight, but packaged in an oversize box.

So, he ordered and after the delivery, he boldly went bag shopping with empty urn in tow to find a tote that would accommodate the box that he could check as a carry on.

Success! Now, I don’t know the details on where he shopped, but he did call back to say that the flight was smooth and the ash scattering ceremony was successful.

We’ve spoke to clients who were able to live their dream and move to the beach. Some of them were short and sweet stays, but life changing and inspirational. This particular couple inspired the Santa Rosa Beach Cremation Urn.

Other clients have told us about some of their favorite beach vacations and we were so inspired to create a couple ocean styles based on their descriptions.

Ocean Beach Cremation Urn for Ashes — Santa Rosa Ocean Beach Urn for Ashes

This one is inspired by one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, Siesta Key. It also comes in a purple version. Adult sizes and smaller keepsakes to match are available.

Ocean beach small urn for ashes, heart shaped

My mom and dad love Maui and we named this memorial urn after their love of white sand and palm trees. It’s been popular with our customers as well. We are one of the few retailers that are able to engrave this urn.

But when the storms roll in, the survivors clean up and move on. The bronze lighthouse and sea shell jewelry were bought by clients who had weathered hurricane Sandy. So we look for the rainbow after the storm.

Scattering Ashes On Superstition Mountains

May 12, 2014 urngarden.com

The late Don Imus mentioned that the ashes of his mother and brother were scattered in the Arizona Superstition Mountains. Not being familiar with this area, the name of the mountains got my attention, and after doing a little research I discovered that it’s a popular place for ash scattering ceremonies. My search also turned up this video of a precarious cremains scattering attempt.

Scattering one’s cremated ashes from hills and mountaintops is not an unusual practice and your funeral director can help you plan this type of memorial service. Not long after we read about this area, a funeral director from the Superstition Funeral Home called and we talked about the practice of ash scattering. This is something they do for the families that request it and after the memorial, the funeral home presents the family a certificate with satellite coordinates of the location that the ashes were dispersed.

In addition to scattering urns, he told me a popular style at that part of the country is the Sunset in Desert cremation urn. sunset in the desert cremation urn

There’s a spiritual healing that comes with watching the ashes blow away in the wind while overseeing some of nature’s greatest landscapes. Superstition Mountains outside Phoenix, Arizona, is one such location.

Commonly called “The Superstitions,” this small mountain range is a growing haven for those wanting to scatter their loved one’s cremated remains from a location that was created from an array of natural forces and creates a feeling of mystery and mystique.

History of Superstition Mountains
Superstition Mountains is not your typical mountain range. The welded tuff, breccia, granite, dacite and basalt came together following intensive volcanic activity. Millions of years ago, the volcanoes on this area collapsed and produced depressions. The formations you see today were caused by the thrusting of lava.

Legend has it that these mountains are also the home of the infamous Lost Dutchman’s Gold Mine, a very rich gold mine supposedly discovered after 1863 by German prospector Jacob Waltz, who lived most of his life in the mountains. Mine lore states that the alleged treasures originally belonged to either the Peralta family of Mexico or the Apache Tribe following a massacre of Mexican miners. Before Waltz died, he left a poorly drawn map of the hidden mine, which has drawn treasure hunters from all over the world.

While Superstition Mountains is said to be home to the Lost Dutchman’s Gold Mine, it is also said to have an Apache Indian curse. Over the years, there have been several “uncertain” deaths and reports of missing people of those who go searching for treasure.

Whether you are scattering the ashes or need to find an urn that works for burial or keeping in the home, we can help.

Scattering Ashes

July 2, 2013 urngarden.com

Not everyone wishes to be buried in a casket or cremated and their ashes held in an urn after they die. Some prefer to have their cremains scattered in a place that is both meaningful and memorable. And why shouldn’t they? Scattering one’s ashes is becoming more common because people are realizing there are more options available when it comes to making final arrangements.

When a person is cremated, his or her ashes are typically placed in an urn and buried like a casket or put on display in a loved one’s home or garden. Likewise, a portion of the ashes can be put in a piece of cremation jewelry or used in artwork or memorial tattoo. The remainder of the ashes, many times, are scattered.

The location selected to scatter one’s ashes depends on they desired ceremony. There are special scattering urns designed for this. They easily open on one end and allow you to carefully sprinkle the ashes without spilling them or having to touch them. These urns also allow to disperse only the amount of cremains you wish.

You can scatter ashes anywhere allowed by state and local laws, as they vary from region to region on both land and water. They can be strewn over a favorite sports park, golf course or hiking trail, as well as in a garden or where a memorial tree can be planted. You can also scatter ashes in the ocean or in a small lake. Regarding sea burials, federal law requires that you go three miles from shore to release the ashes to avoid the urn washing up on the beach. In many coastal areas, you can charter a boat that specializes in this type of service and there are cremation urns that are biodegradable and designed for use in the water that are ideal for this type of memorial celebration.

Remembering, deciding to scatter a loved one’s ashes is a very personal choice and should be the wish of the person who has died. If this ceremony wasn’t planned before the person died, make sure everyone involved is in agreement with this decision.

Biodegradable Urns Video

February 11, 2012 urngarden.com

Biodegradable urns are designed for families that have chosen to return their loved one to the earth in a pure form. Urn Garden is pleased to offer earth friendly urns for ashes that are made from sand, salt, paper,tree bark and other organic materials. The urns are durable, have no shelf life, and will NOT begin to biodegrade until buried or placed in water.

What You Should Know About Biodegradable Urns for Ashes

In keeping with the growing trend of green burials, more individuals are selecting cremation instead of taking the traditional route of being buried in caskets. By storing cremains in these types of biodegradable urns for ashes they are planning to have their remains scattered or buried instead of being displayed at home in customary urns or placed in niches at a cemetery.

Choosing Biodegradable Urns for Ashes

Environmental consciousness has grown throughout the country and because of this, traditional funerals are becoming less common. As more people choose cremation as an end-of-life arrangement, some are even deciding to have those ashes buried in a biodegradable urn in a green or natural cemetery or scattered in their favorite place in nature.

Biodegradable urns are less expensive alternatives because they are made from temporary materials that break down when planted in the earth or submerged in water. Consider choosing biodegradable urns for ashes when you know this is the type of final arrangement you or your loved one wants.

Types of Biodegradable Urns for Ashes

Biodegradable urns for ashes are made from a variety of materials, some used for earth burials while others are specifically for water burials. Make sure you know the type of burial you are planning before you purchase a biodegradable urn for ashes.

Earth biodegradable urns: These types deteriorate over time depending on their containers and where it’s buried. The more moist and healthy the soil, the faster it will break down. How quickly it degrades also depends on how deep the urn is buried too. These urns are made from several natural materials such as sand, bamboo, cornstarch, natural clay, peat, or recycled paper. You can also purchase urns with flower or trees embedded in the container so a green plant will grow over time, another reminder of your loved one. Earth biodegradable urns come in various shapes such as pillows, boxes, unity hearts, or traditional urns.

Water biodegradable urns: These urns typically float for a brief period time and will sink gracefully. They are made from recycled paper, rock salt, gelatin, and sand. Typically, you may only be allowed to scatter ashes or put a water biodegradable urn in saltwater or you can bury it in the earth. They come in different styles such as tubes, pillows, sea shells, sea animals, Grecian urns, and balls of sand.

Before Burying or Scattering the Ashes
Each state has its own regulations regarding burial and scattering of ashes, many because of environmental laws. Your funeral director can guide you with the legalities.